DOE testing a vital section in motoring business

Rochford Motors has a proven track record in car sales and servicing over the last 25 years. Over the last few years however, the growth of an efficient DOE test centre has been an important factor in the company’s success writes Cian O Raghallaigh.

Some of the Rochford Motors team, l/r: Frank McHugh (parts manager), Liam Rochford and Seamus O�Neill (service manager)

Rochford Motors, Knock Road, Ballyhaunis, Co.Mayo are one of the leading suppliers of Mitsubishi cars in the West of Ireland. They are a successful dealer of the Japanese brand and have been providing a quality service to the people of Connacht and beyond for the last 25 years. A family firm, the company has done very well since its establishment over two decades ago. With a number of other departments outside of sales, the company has proved its worth to its customers since its foundation.

Although the firm is based in Mayo, it also takes customers from the North Galway and Sligo areas. Only five miles from the Roscommon border, it has the advantage of being able to draw on a number of counties in order to survive.

A view of the showroom at Rochford Motors in Ballyhaunis

Liam Rochford currently works as General Manager in the company. The business was established back in 1981 by the recently deceased and much missed Billy Rochford, who built the business to where it is today. It was in November 1984 that the company gained the Mitsubishi franchise. It proved a vital step in the development of Rochford Motors. From that time onwards, Rochford Motors has barely looked back. At the moment the various Mitsubishi models provide much of the company’s revenue. In addition to selling the vehicles, the firm also has a number of other services to offer its customers. “We have 14 staff at the moment between sales, servicing, body repairs, DOE testing and fuel retailing. Most of the new car sales we have are in Pajero, Pajero Sport, L200, Lancer, Colt and Grandis. We are doing particularly well with the new models at the moment. We also have a thriving used car sales business” says Liam.

The Pajero is an example of an excellent product Rochford Motors currently offers. It offers refinement and power on the road as well as class leading residual values and desirability. The Mitsubishi name is synonymous with quality and value.

A view of the forecourt at Liam Rochford Motors on the Knock Road, Ballyhaunis

The development of DOE testing has proven a vital part of the company’s progression. Over the last number of years, DOE testing has been a growing source of business for the company. For some time the restrictions imposed on testing meant that only vehicles up to a certain weight could be tested. Now those weight limits have been increased. This means that the firm has greater access when it comes to offering the DOE service.

“The DOE testing is a growing side of the business. We have a new, recently built dedicated DOE test centre. For a number of years we had been able to test a lot of smaller commercials under 1500/2000kg. The Department of the Environment then changed the playing field and we now are able and have the facilities to test all commercials up to 3500 kg. This has really helped as we have a bigger range of vehicles to offer this service to” he explains.

Jim Nolan, checking out one of the testing machines at Rochford Motors in Ballyhaunis

“We are available to carry out DOE tests six days a week. Currently our waiting list is not too long which is good for our customers. We endeavour as much as possible to fit in a test to suit our customers busy time schedules. Also, if we find that something is wrong with a particular vehicle at the DOE test stage, our adjoining service department can usually offer the option of repairing the fault on the same day and re-testing on the same day”

Rochford Motors currently employs fourteen people, split across fuel retailing, car sales, administration, Service and Parts departments and its DOE test centre . With a specific DOE test centre adjoining the main workshop, the company is able to offer a quick service to its customers.
Liam Rochford is heavily involved in the general management and sales side of the business. As a family run business, he has seen the company grow over the last number of years. People who have been satisfied with the firm have told others of the wide range of quality services which the company provides. “We have found that business has thankfully increased over time. Our valued customers have helped us greatly by recommending us to others. Word of mouth has been a great thing for us for some time but there is room for us to be able to increase our sales and overall services. There is always potential to develop a business like this,” he says.

The company then, realises the need to keep up to date with developments. Brand new showrooms, workshop and DOE test centre completed last year ensure that Rochford Motors are moving in the right direction. Liam hopes that the company can expand even further.
“We now have brand new premises including showrooms, workshop, bodyshop and DOE test centre. We have the basis to progress into the future and hopefully by continuing to provide a quality and courteous service for our customers we can continue to thrive into the future,” he says.

With such expansion, the company can continue to take significant strides forward again in the next few years. There is little to suggest that the company cannot continue moving forward in the right direction. The Mitsubishi brand has served Rochford Motors well. The DOE testing section of the company is also progressing. If the company can continue to display enthusiasm, there is little to suggest that it cannot keep moving in the right direction.